Friday, March 18, 2011

R/I High School Track Nutrition and Food Idea Document

This is a Document I created for the Rushville Industry Girls High School Track Team. I figured I would share with everyone..who know you may pick up some usefull tips. =) Especially from the food ideas list! It is very general..keep in mind we are trying to promote and develope good habbits with these young adults!


Food = Energy
An Overview on nutrition from Ervin’s Get Fit Stay Fit
(Workout Ideas for general health @ ervinsgetfitstayfit@blogspot.com)

Overview
Female runners have specific nutritional needs. Poor nutrition can lead to poor performance, tiredness, injuries and disillusionment with training, reports the Estronaut website, a forum for women's health. Women often take up running in an effort to lose weight, and as a result fail to fuel correctly.


Calories
The number of calories you need daily really depends on the aggressiveness of your training. According to running coach Hal Higdon, the average runner training for a half marathon and running between 20 and 25 miles per week needs about 2,500 calories per day. The later stage of marathon training requires more calories, and runners who do short distances probably need slightly less daily. Even if you are seeking weight loss, you need to eat adequate calories to replace glycogen stores in your muscles so you have energy to perform at your best. The National Institutes of Health recommends that no female drop below 1,200 calories consumed per day.


Macronutrients
A diet for a female runner should stress carbohydrates. Aim to take in between 50 and 70 percent of daily calories from complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Distance runners should focus on the higher end of the carbohydrate range. Proteins in the form of white-meat poultry, lean cuts of beef, legumes, egg whites and low-fat dairy should make up between 10 and 25 percent of daily calories. Healthy fats, like those that come from plant sources, round out your running diet plan. Make sure you eat at least 20 percent of your calories from fat because adequate consumption helps with vitamin absorption and hormone production.


Potential Deficiencies
Women tend to be at risk of iron deficiency. Women runners are even more prone because, according to Estronaut, excessive sweating causes iron loss. Include iron-rich leafy greens and some lean red meat in your diet to insure you get enough. Female runners and other athletes have a higher need for calcium in their diet programs. Chris Carmichael, coach to Lance Armstrong and founder of Carmichael Training Systems, writes in "Food for Fitness" that nearly half of all runner do not get enough calcium. Include at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily through sources like low-fat milk, yogurt, fortified juice or supplements.


Fueling Workouts
Runners need proper fuel before, during and after workouts to maximize their performance. Carmichael points out that a pre-run meal or snack eaten 60 to 90 minutes before your workout should consist primarily of carbohydrates with a small serving of protein. Examples are a bagel with a slice of deli turkey or a bowl of cereal with low-fat milk. After longer workouts---lasting more than an hour---replace your glycogen stores within 15 minutes to an hour. Carmichael recommends a meal containing .75 g of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight combined with a serving of protein. For a 130-lb. woman a slice of toast with a banana and a tablespoon of peanut butter meets this criteria. Runners going longer than an hour should consume sports gels or drinks to replace energy stores.

Typical Day
A female runner's daily meal plan should include three meals and at least two snacks. For a 135-lb. female runner training 11 hours per week, go for a breakfast consisting of two cups of whole grain cereal with low fat milk and 12 oz. of orange juice. At lunch, try a chicken salad sandwich with spinach, whole grain bread and two cups of fruit. Enjoy a serving of multigrain crackers on the side. In the afternoon, have a fruit smoothie as a snack. For dinner, make two to three cups of pasta with marinara sauce, a roll and a green salad. Drink 8 oz. of milk with lunch or dinner. If you have a workout longer than an hour planned, drink 25 oz. of a sports drink and a sports gel before you go



So What Foods Should I Eat
(Here are some examples. But the possible list is huge)

• Fresh vegetables and fruits should make up the largest part of your healthy foods grocery list. Vegetables and fruits have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they are usually low in calories. We all need at least five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables that everyone in your family will enjoy.

• Most of your grain and cereal products should be made from whole grains, not from refined flours. This part of your list includes whole-grain breads, whole-grain pastas, and whole-grain breakfast cereals. Whole grains are important for vitamins, minerals, and for fiber, which is often lacking in modern diets. Read labels to look for 100% whole-grain or 100% whole-wheat to be sure you are getting whole grain products.

• Your protein and meat choices should consist mostly of fish, poultry and lean meats. Eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes are also good protein choices. Choose fresh and frozen unbreaded meats and fish. Avoid breaded, deep-fried convenience foods that you put in the oven. They are high in fat and sodium.

• Beverages should be kept simple. Water, low-fat milk, juices and herbal teas are all good choices. If you opt for soft drinks, choose diet sodas and soft drinks to avoid extra sugar.

• Dairy products should include low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. If you do not want cows' milk, choose soy and rice beverages, calcium-fortified orange juice, or goats' milks and cheese.

• Be careful with dressings, cooking oils and condiments. They are sneaky sources of refined sugar and poor quality oils. Read labels to choose dressings made with olive oil, canola oil or walnut oil. Choose low-fat mayonnaise for your sandwiches and choose canola oil and olive oil for cooking.

• Frozen foods are a convenient way to keep vegetables on hand. There are also prepared meals that you can pop into the microwave or oven. These can be convenient and healthy if you choose low-fat versions with good portion sizes. Read labels and chose frozen foods wisely. Avoid frozen pizzas, pocket-sandwiches, deep-fried appetizers, and breaded foods.

• Foods in cans and jars are also very convenient. Look for low-sodium soups, vegetables and sauces. Avoid high-fat gravies and high-calorie foods like canned spaghetti and ravioli products.

• For sandwiches, choose peanut butter or other nut butters, low-fat turkey slices or sliced roast beef. Avoid processed lunch meats, sausages and hot dogs.

• Don't load up on high-calorie treats and desserts. Choose fresh fruits, healthy nuts, seeds and whole-grain crackers for snacks.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Body Weight Leg Ideas...my fav

***Non-weighted toning exercises for legs and core (a lot of these are also cardio based too)

-Jumping squats…get in squat position jump up in air straightening legs and coming as high off ground as possible…then land back in squat position. (do as many as you can continuously until fatigued)

-Jumping lunges…same concept as jumping squats. Get in lunge and jump up in air as high as possible while switching legs in air and land in a lunge with opposite leg forward as the one in the first lunge. (go continuously until fatigued)

-Wall sits…legs 90 degrees hold 45-1 min 3 times

-One leg dips…stand on one leg..other leg lifted and placed close to leg at comfortable position. Slowly dip and straightened…can hold on to something in front of you for support.

-Side leg lifts and back. ..On all fours lift leg to side down repeat. Do to back as well.

-Squat slides/walks…get in wide stand squat…slide one leg out to side while remaining in squat and then slide other leg in as well. Keep going while trying to remain as low as possible until legs burn! =)

-Try squatting in 5th position (one leg in front of other If not a dancer) Like a grand plie, do some all the way down with heals coming up and some going down as far as possible without heals coming up. Also try some holding your heals up the whole time. So you are on a forced arch throughout the squat , on your toes, or in dancer terms …releve. Go into clave raises while calves are tired from forcing the arch.

-Also do this same thing in a wide 4th position..legs in front of one another but at least 3 feet in between. I also do this in first position..which is heals together, feet turned out.

-After you master these…try all of them jumping. Little jumps and big ones…touch ground, keep booty down, chest up, and jump completely as high as you can.

Just some facts that I typed up!

• Always change workout from day to day: mix different cardio with
different strength training
• Always get a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio each day you work out
• It takes 20 minutes to tap into your fat stores


Mix up treadmill workouts. Include incline and sprints, but you can do steady jogging somedays.


Example treadmill workout
5 minutes – warmup – light jog
5 minutes – increase speed of jog
5 minutes – Incline runs – set incline as high as you can tolerate. Try to get to at least 8
Keep up the same speed you were at throughout this whole five minutes, 30 seconds on incline, then bring incline back down for 1 minute and repeat

5 minutes – sprints- When I do sprints, I will sometimes do a 30 second sprint, a 45, 1 minute, 45, then 30 again, you can pick whatever speeds you feel ready for and keep them up for that 5 minutes. Make sure it is a spring like pace.

*This is just an example of 1 workout. When you get more stamina, you can increase treadmill workout times. On days when you do not weight train, cardio sessions can last up to an hour.
You can incorporate whatever sprints, hills, intervals, or times you want in order to keep changing up your cardio regimen.

ARMS

Arms

Some good arm exercises to pair with machine exercises are as follows

*Pushups (can be done on knees, this is a very basic exercise but if done until fatigued it really is one of *the best all time exercises for your chest and upper body)
*Yoga pushup—I love these! Arms are under body and lower you slowly down. (They brush your body as you go down; think elbow to ribs. Hold your weight the entire time)
* Triceps dips on bench or chair…little pulses in 90 degree point in between reps
*free weights are good for curls, rows, and shoulder extensions.

-just pair some of these with your normal machine workout and try sprinting or jumping rope between exercises…this is my fav. and it burns a ton of fat!

Treadmill Workout Ideas - It doesn't have to be boring!!!

Here are a few interesting treadmill workout ideas

Enjoy =)

****The Pyramid
Begin with a 10-minute warm-up jog before starting. Afterward, run the entire exercise at 90 percent of your 10 km pace with a three-minute recovery between sets. Start set one by running for one minute at a 4, 5, then 6 percent incline. Run for one minute each at a 5, 6 and 7 percent incline for set two. Set three increases the incline to 6, 7 and 8 percent for one minute each. Run one minute each at a 7, 6 and 5 percent incline for set four. Finish with set five and inclines of 6, 5 and 4 percent--running each for one minute. This workout will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
____________________________________________

Running Quarters is tough! this one will kick booty if you actually run four sets of 3- 400 meter runs!

****Picking Up the Pace
Begin this speed workout with a 10-minute warm-up, jogging lightly throughout. Start the first set of the exercise by running at half your 5 km pace for 400 meters. Without a recovery, run an additional 400 meters at your 15 km race pace. Immediately afterward, run another 400 meters and increase your speed to your 3 km race pace. Recover afterward by resting for 30 seconds. Complete four sets total with a recovery between sets.

Let's Move!!

Throughout my journey with working with children and obesity factors I have grown to repect a lot of organizations that are trying to fight back against this epidemic. An organization that really parralels what I stand for with my "Ervin's Get Fit Stay Fit Programs" and "eCHANGE" is the campaign endorsed and promoted by our first lady, Michele Obama. The program is called "Let's Move". Here is some of their veiws on the childhood obesity outbreak and a link to the site. Please check it out...it's great!!! =)
___________________________________________________
Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let's Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children.

http://www.letsmove.gov/learnthefacts.php

Monday, March 7, 2011

Cardio..Think it's boring? Think Again!!!!!

Cardio is an absolute must if you are trying to cut body fat or even weight. Not to mention the great benefits for your heart and overall health.


-Here are 3 cardio exercises to help make your training more fun: (O.k. maybe not fun but the time will go by quicker)

________________________________________________________________

1. Continuous fun


Time: 45 minutes

Keep heart rate between 75-85% throughout, except ellipitical. Ellipitical 65-75% for recovery.

Stairs 8 minutes, treadmill incline 6 minutes, jump rope 6 minutes, ellipitical 5 minutes, jump rope 6 minutes, treadmill incline 6 minutes, stairs 8 minutes.

__________________________________________

2. The change up.

Time: 45 minutes


Sustained/Recovery-70-80%. Intenset-85-95%.

Treadmill-5 minutes sustained, 2 min-sprint, 2-min side shuffle (1 minute each way), 2 min-sprint, 2 min side shuffle, 2 min-sprint

Stairs-5 minutes skipping a step, 2 minutes get both feet on each step, 2 minutes side steps (1 minute each way), 2 minutes get both feet on each step, 2 minutes side shuffle, 2 minutes as fast you can

Jump rope/Jack/Lunge trio-5 minutes traditional jump rope, 2 minutes side lunges (alternating), 2 minutes jumping jacks, 2 minutes jump rope (as fast you can), 2 minutes regular walking lunges end with 2 minutes of glute kick backs (1 minute each leg)

________________________________________________________

3. Tight/Sprints

Time: 40 minutes

*5 minute jog , then 1 minute sprint alternate with 1 minute of walking on treadmill (think small steps and EVERYTHING TIGHT!) repeat x 10 and end with 5 minutes of jogging

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Childhood Obesity...it's an epidemic and we can help!

One of my life long goals being in the health and fitness profession is to end the increase in childhood obesity, this is now what we see in Children across the nation. I will be competing in Miss Macomb this coming March 27th and Stopping Childhood Obesity and Inactivity is not only my passion but my selected platform of choice. If I obtain the once in a life time chance to recieve the title of Miss Macomb, I would advance to the Miss Illinois Pageant in June. Most importantly this opportunity would allow me to finally voice my opinion on this issue and get into those schools promoting my programs....such as "Ervin's Get Fit, Stay Fit", programs that I have all ready introduced to Rushville sports teams. Someone has to be proactive in this issue! Here are some facts that I think everyone should know!

P.S...more will come on my platform. I have some cool ideas I will share! =)

get your kid in action - the importance of exercise


In order to live a well-rounded healthy lifestyle physical activity should be incorporated into your child’s daily activities. Exercise helps our bodies to reach peak performance and is known to reduce health risks like cardiovascular problems. Exercise also aides in building overall strength, bone density, healthy joints and muscles all while helping to maintain a healthy weight.

In addition exercise has also been shown to help in other ways as well. Children who get the appropriate amount of daily exercise also enjoy the ability to sleep better as well as reduce stress levels.
Even given all the health benefits that come with exercise 50% of American adults still don’t get enough exercise. Just like with our nutrition, the exercise habits we create when we’re young are usually carried over into our adult life. So get your kid moving now to keep them healthy well into future.

Scary Stats:
There are some disturbing trends that are forming among children and teens as far as the level of physical activity they’re getting. Overall kids 2-19 aren’t getting nearly enough exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Below are some recent statistics on children and exercise.

As of 2006 less than one third of 15 years olds got the minimum amount of required physical activity during the week and on weekends it dropped to just 17%

On average kids spend 5 ½ hours a day on media driven sedentary activities

3 hours of the 5 ½ is spent watching television

Teens spend an average of 6 hours a day on media driven sedentary activities
1 in 3 children in America are overweight or obese

The likelihood of cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer in children is increased by obesity

Only 10% of schools offer daily physical education classes, and many of those don’t meet the time requirements of weekly exercise

How much physical activity does my child need?

Studies by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have revealed that the majority of children should be getting approximately 60 minutes of physical activity basically every day. The activity itself isn’t as important as making sure it hits on the 3 criteria of healthy exercise: strength, endurance and flexibility.

I keep finding fun and different (yet healthy) cooking ideas!! =)

Black Bean Salad with Feta

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 sweet red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
2 cups finely chopped cabbage
4 green onions, chopped
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine beans, bell pepper, cabbage, onion, feta cheese, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper; toss to mix. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Makes 8 servings (1 cup each)


Each Serving Totals - 6.1 Fat Grams,138.6 calories, 3.2 WW Points

Delish Chicken Recipe!!!

Balsamic Chicken with Pears

6 chicken breasts halves (3 to 4-ounce each), boneless and skinless*
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot or green onion, chopped
2 medium pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup chicken broth or stock (all fat removed)
1/4 cup good-quality aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup dried tart cherries

Each Serving Totals - 4 Fat Grams, 26.2 Carbohydrate Grams, 233 calories, 5.5 WW Points

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Ten Ideas to Keep You Moving and Fit During These Winter Months!! =)

**It is very hard to stay active, let alone motivated during these gloomy, long winterws months. I am a huge fan of working out outside and running outside as well. So when it basically gets to nasty or cold to go out you have to brainstorm creative and fresh ways to keep moving and NOT ditch your workout! Treadmills and indoor cardio equipment are life savors for sure!!...however, sometimes we have to mix it up to keep things fun and different. After all variety is the spice of life! haha =)

**Here are 10 ideas you should try!


1. Swim - We have a great pool at the campus recreation center and there are various times every day to swim either alone or as a family. You can also check out local YMCA pools. Swimming is one of the best exercises for the entire body and it is low impact so I try to take advantage of the opportunity as much as I can.

2. Yoga - One of the most relaxing and full body stretching of activities. You do not have to be an expert. Simply get a beginners yoga dvd and practice. The beautiful thing about yoga is that you use your body's natural resistance and weight and you can go at your own pace.

3. Dance - Dance is a great way to get fit! If you are a dance.. then do some technique or make a routine! Its great cardio, toning, and stretch for the body. If you are not a "dancer" so to speak..it's OKAY! Put on that radio, Ipod - music of any type and dance! Do your own thing but move and burn off the calories.

4. Climb Stairs - Do not take the elevator - climb the stairs. Or just find a set of stairs and do as many sets as you can!!

5. (If it is too cold to walk outside) -Go For a Walk Around Your Local Mall - I've never been a part of them but I have seen many groups that meet in our local mall and walk.

6. Jump Rope - Simple enough and can be done anywhere in the house.

7. Jog - Either in place in your office or around the house. I like to play chase with my dog when I am bored. You will be surprised that you will work up a sweat.

8. Calestenics - Stretch. Jumping Jacks. Push ups. Ab Crunches. Chair dips, Calf stretches off stairs. Use your body weight! (see former post for body weight workout ideas!)

9. Free Weights - Even you do not have a set of weights, ordinary household products such as bags of sugar, flour or books will suffice. But if you DO have weights...hit um up!!!!!!!

10. Housework - Vacuuming, cleaning, scrubbing the floors, laundry - it all adds up!! There is also an added benefit to climbing the stairs if you have them ;)


Now............GET MOVING PEOPLE!!!!! =)

Enjoy

Basic But Good Treadmill Workout

I know, I know....It's winter and we are all sick and TIRED of the boring indoor cardio workouts on the treadmills and elipticals ect. But..unless you have an indoor track or weather permits for you to bundle up..we have to make sure we still get our cardio workouts in! The thing is, we need to constantly change the workout up and alter the speeds, inclines, ect. By doing this we not only keep our bodies from hitting a training wall, but we also keeps ourselves occupied and focused by following a new list of treadmill alterations rather than focusing on how tried you are!
Here is a very basic tread. workout I did one gloomy day. The constantly changing speeds and alterations kept it fresh. This workout is challenging but not extremely hard.

•0-3 minutes. Warm up for 3 minutes with an easy walk or jog (speed 4.0).
1st Set
•3-6 minutes. 3 minute tempo run (speed 6.5).
•6-9 minutes. 3 minute sprint interval i.e. sprint 1 minute , jog 1 minute, sprint 1 minute (speed 7.5, 6.0, 7.5).
•9-12 minutes. 3 minute tempo run (speed 6.7).
•12-15 minutes. Recovery: 3 minute walk or jog (speed 4.0).
2nd Set
•15-20 minutes. 5 minute tempo run (speed 6.7).
•20-25 minutes. 5 minute sprint interval i.e. sprint 1 min., jog 1 min, sprint 1 min., jog 1 min., sprint 1 min. (speed 7.5, 6.0, 7.5, 6.0, 7.5).
•26-30 minutes. 5 minute tempo run (speed 7.0).
•30-33 minutes. Recovery: 3 minute walk or jog (speed 4.0).
3rd Set
•33-36 minutes. 3 minute tempo run (speed 7.0)
•36-39 minutes. 3 minute sprint interval i.e. sprint 1 minute, jog 1 minute, sprint 1 minute) (speed 8.0, 6.0, 8.0)
•39-42 minutes. 3 minute tempo run (speed 7.0)
•42-45 minutes. Cool down. 3 minute walk or jog (speed 4.0).

Print this out on a small piece of paper and give it a try!!!